Printer, system and method for programming rfid tags on media labels

ABSTRACT

A printer is provided which includes a control unit and a print head with a burn line and a platen roller. The print head is coupled to the control unit. The print head is positioned in a vertical orientation relative to the platen roller over which a media label passes during printing. A radio frequency identification (RFID) reader, coupled to the control unit, for programming RFID tags on the media label is also provided. The RFID reader is coupled to a RFID antenna. The RFID antenna is above the media label path, the print head&#39;s vertical orientation allowing the RFID antenna to be accommodated in close proximity to the print head burn line. Further, a label stop sensor (LSS) module is provided, coupled to the control unit, for monitoring movement of the media label along a media path. The LSS module is disposed adjacent to the RFID antenna.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to thermal transfer printers, and inparticular to printers which support Radio Frequency Identification(RFID) tags.

BACKGROUND

Generally speaking printing radio frequency identification (RFID) tagson media labels requires a RFID programming module or an RFID readerwith a RFID antenna to transmit signals to program the tag on the medialabel.

When programming RFID tags on or in a media label, the RFID antenna isplaced as close as possible to the platen roller and the print head burnline in order to support the tag. Due to the structure of conventionalprinters and the need to be as close as possible to the print head burnline, the RFID antenna is usually placed below the media path and ispositioned 18 to 34 mm from the print head burn line. However, it isdifficult if not impossible for the RFID antenna to support metal RFIDtags on or in the media label if the RFID antenna is positioned belowthe media because of layers on the tag which may block RFID signals frombelow. The metal RFID tag generally is made of layers. The top layer isthe IC layer where the programmable chip resides. This chip needs toreceive transmitted power from the RFID antenna for programming. Belowthe IC layer is an aluminum foil layer which will generally partially orcompletely block the RFID frequency. If placed above the media path on aconventional printer, the RFID antenna would necessarily be at least 70mm from the print head burn line. This is too great a distance for theRFID antenna to support a metal tag on the media label.

In addition, for good print registration, a label stop sensor (LSS)module should be close to the print head burn line. In a conventionalprinter, the LSS module may be as far away as 42 to 55 mm from the printhead burn line whether the RFID antenna is above or below the mediapath. In either case, print registration could be improved significantlyif the LSS module could be placed closer to the burn line.

Prior art FIG. 1 shows in schematic a conventional printing assembly,illustrating the position and limitations of conventional printerstructures. The printing assembly (10) includes a print head (90),platen roller (15), the RFID antenna (14), and a LSS module (18), withthe burn line designated at (13). The printer ribbon path (16) and themedia path (17) are designated. In the FIG. 1, the RFID antenna (14)would have to be moved a considerable distance from the burn line (15)to accommodate the RFID antenna (14) above the media path (13). Thisrequires the LSS module (18) to be positioned even further from the burnline (13). Both the print head (12) size and orientation as well as theribbon path (16) constrains the placement of the RFID antenna (14).

Therefore, a need exists for a printer system and method which allows aRFID antenna to conveniently support metal RFID tags on media labelswhile simultaneously providing for improved print registration.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, in one aspect, the present invention embraces printer forprinting programmable tags in or on media labels. The printerconventionally includes a print head with a burn line and a platenroller over which a media label passes during printing.

In an exemplary embodiment, the printer includes a control unit, a printhead with a burn line. The print head is coupled to the control unit,for printing on a media label. The print head is positioned in avertical orientation relative to the portion of the platen roller overwhich a media label passes during printing. The printer also includes aradio frequency identification (RFID) reader, coupled to the controlunit, for programming RFID tags on the media label. A RFID antennacoupled to the RFID reader is positioned above the media label path. Theprint head's vertical orientation allows the RFID antenna to beaccommodated in close proximity to the print head burn line. The closeproximity is of a distance to allow the RFID antenna to support metaltags on the media label. Further provided is a label stop sensor (LSS)module, also coupled to the control unit. The LSS module monitorsmovement of the media label along a media path. The LSS module ispositioned adjacent to the RFID antenna.

In another exemplary embodiment of the printer, the media label pitch isa length at least 12 mm.

In another exemplary embodiment of the printer, the RFID antenna has acenterline, the centerline being positioned within a distance notgreater than 20 mm from the print head burn line.

In another exemplary embodiment of the printer, the RFID antenna has acenterline. The centerline is positioned at a distance not less than 15mm from the print head burn line.

In another exemplary embodiment, the printer is a RFID printer. The RFIDreader is to program metal RFID tags contained in or on the media label.

In another exemplary embodiment, the printer is a thermal transferprinter, and the RFID antenna is placed below a ribbon pathcorresponding to a ribbon of the thermal transfer printer.

In yet another exemplary embodiment of the printer, the LSS module isconfigured to position at least a portion of the media label under theRFID antenna and the print head.

In another exemplary embodiment of the printer, the LSS module ispositioned at a distance not less than 20 mm from the print head burnline.

In another aspect, the present invention embraces a method for printinga programmable tag on a media label.

In an exemplary embodiment the method includes the steps of (i)positioning, a print head with a burn line in a vertical orientationrelative to a portion of a platen roller over which a media label passesduring printing, (ii) arranging a radio frequency (RFID) antenna coupledto a RFID reader above a media path corresponding to a media label,(iii) accommodating a label stop sensor (LSS) module adjacent to theRFID antenna, and (iv) advancing, based upon signals from the LSSmodule, at least a portion of the media label below the print head andthe RFID antenna, for printing. The vertical orientation of the printhead allows the RFID antenna to be accommodated in close proximity tothe print head burn line.

In another exemplary embodiment, the method further includes the step of(v) programming by the RFID reader a RFID tag contained in or on themedia label via the RFID antenna.

In another exemplary embodiment of the method, the media label is asmall RFID media label having a pitch between labels of at least 12 mm.

In another exemplary embodiment of the method, the RFID antenna isaccommodated at a distance not less than 15 mm from the print head burnline.

In yet another exemplary embodiment of the method, the RFID antenna isaccommodated below the ribbon path of a thermal printer.

In another exemplary embodiment of the method, the LSS module isaccommodated at a distance greater than at least 20 mm from the printhead.

In another aspect, the present invention embraces a system forprogramming programmable tags on media labels on a printer.

In an exemplary embodiment, the system includes a control unit, and aprinting assembly coupled to the control unit. The printing assembly iscomprised of a platen roller for feeding a media label for printingalong a media path, a print head with a burn line positioned in avertical orientation relative to a portion of the platen roller overwhich the media label passes during printing, and a programming modulefor programming coded information on the media label. The programmingmodule is coupled to the control unit, and the programming moduleincludes an antenna coupled to the programming module. The antenna ispositioned above the media label path, the vertical orientation of theprint head allowing the antenna to be accommodated in close proximity tothe print head burn line. The printing assembly further includes a LSSmodule to control movement of the media label along the media path. TheLSS module is positioned adjacent to the RFID antenna, and the LSSmodule is configured to position at least a portion of the media labelunder the antenna and the print head.

In another exemplary embodiment of the system, the programming module isan RF programming module for programming RFID tags in or on the medialabel.

In another exemplary embodiment of the system, the antenna isaccommodated above the media path at a distance not less than 15 mm fromthe print head burn line.

In another exemplary embodiment of the system, the antenna isaccommodated above the media path at a distance no greater than 20 mmfrom the print head burn line.

In another exemplary embodiment of the system, the media label has apitch of at least 12 mm.

In yet another exemplary embodiment of the system, the LSS module ispositioned at a distance not less than 20 mm from the print head burnline.

The foregoing illustrative summary, as well as other exemplaryobjectives and/or advantages of the invention, and the manner in whichthe same are accomplished, are further explained within the followingdetailed description and its accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 schematically depicts a prior art printer assembly structure.

FIG. 1A schematically depicts the horizontally oriented print head ofFIG. 1 in closer detail.

FIG. 2 schematically depicts a conventional printer which can adapted tohouse a system and printing assembly in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 schematically depicts a printer assembly in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3A schematically depicts the vertically oriented print head of FIG.3 in closer detail.

FIG. 4 schematically depicts a system for programming programmable tagsduring printing of such tags in accordance with an exemplary embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 5 schematically depicts a method of carrying out an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention in a flow chart

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention embraces a printer adapted to print RFID tags onor in a media label.

Referring to FIG. 2, a conventional printer (20) is adapted to house aprinting assembly (100) in accordance with an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention. The printer (20) includes media (70) on a roll,and a ribbon roll (60). The media (70) is feed to the printing assembly(100) by a media path (170). The printing ribbon (60) is fed to theprinting assembly (100) along a ribbon path (160).

Referring now to FIG. 3, the printing assembly (100) is comprised of acontrol unit (180), a print head (110) with a burn line (115). The printhead (190) is coupled to the control unit (180) for printing on a medialabel. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the print head (190)is positioned in a vertical orientation relative to a portion of aplaten roller (130) over which a media label passes during printing.This vertical orientation in relation to the platen roller (115) isdesignated (110) and is shown in closer detail in FIG. 3a . The verticalorientation of the print head (190) shown in FIG. 3a can be contrastedwith the prior art horizontal orientation of the print head (90) withrelation to the platen roller (15) designated (120) in FIG. 1 and FIG. 1a.

FIG. 1a shows the relation (120) of the prior art print head (90) inrelation to the platen roller (15). The print head (90) includes a printhead assembly (92) and the dots (91), the heating elements, the numberof which determine printing resolution. The dots (91) are at the tip ofthe print head (90) on the side of the print head (90) facing the platenroller (15). The print head assembly (92) extends substantiallyhorizontally, or within 20° of the media path (17) for printing. Theprint pressure (93) is applied to the print head (90) at an anglesubstantially perpendicular to the media path (17) directly above thedots (91).

In contrast, FIG. 3a shows, in an exemplary embodiment of the invention,the relation (110) of the print head (190) to the platen roller (130)with a vertically oriented print head (190). The print head (190)includes a print head assembly (193) and dots (192). In the verticalprint head (190), the dots (192) are positioned at the lower end of theprint head (190) above the platen roller (130). The print pressure (195)is directed to the print head (190) at an angle substantiallyperpendicular to the media path (170) directly above the dots (192).

Referring back to FIG. 3, the control unit (180) may be a centralprocessing unit (CPU), or another processor with firmware to control theprinting of media labels.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 3, the printing assembly (100) also includesa radio frequency identification (RFID) reader (150) coupled to thecontrol unit (180), for programming RFID tags on media labels. A RFIDantenna (152) is coupled to the RFID reader (150). The RFID antenna(152) is positioned above the media label path (170). The print head's(190) vertical orientation allows the RFID antenna (152) to beaccommodated in close proximity to the print head burn line (115). Theclose proximity and the fact that the RFID antenna (152) is above themedia path (170), is such that the RFID antenna (152) can support metaltags in or on media labels. The printer assembly (100) includes a labelstop sensor (LSS) module (140) coupled to the control unit (180), formonitoring movement of media labels along the media path (170). The LSSmodule (140) is positioned adjacent to the RFID antenna (152). Thecommunication between the control unit (180) and the various componentsmay be wireless or wired. Hard wire connections are not shown in theFigure.

In contrasting the position and distance of the print head and LSSmodule from the burn line in prior art FIG. 1 and to the presentinvention depicted in FIG. 3, one can see that the vertical orientationof the print head (190) in FIG. 3 allows the RFID antenna (152) to bepositioned above the media path (170), which in turn allows the LSSmodule (140) to be adjacent to the RFID antenna (152) and much closer tothe burn line (115), thus improving print registration. One consequenceis that the media label pitch can be as small as 12 mm or less.

In the prior art printing assembly (10) of FIG. 1, typically, the RFIDantenna (14) may be positioned 18 mm to 34 mm from the burn line (13)and below the media path (17). This position of the RFID antenna (14)does not allow the RFID antenna (14) to support metal RFID tags on or inthe media label. In the prior art printing assembly (10) of FIG. 1, theLSS module (18) is positioned 42 mm to 55 mm or more from the burn line(13). Thus, print registration on a prior printing assembly (10) islimited, and the pitch between RFID labels may be limited to be greaterthan 24 mm.

Referring back to FIG. 3, in an exemplary embodiment, the RFID antenna(152) has a centerline (154). The centerline (154) is positioned withina distance not greater than 20 mm from the print head burn line (115),and preferably between 15 mm and 20 mm from the burn line (115).

In another exemplary embodiment, the LSS module (140) is configured toposition at least a portion of a media label under the RFID antenna(152) and the print head (190).

The LSS module (140) may be positioned at a distance not less than 20 mmfrom the print head burn line (115), adjacent to the RFID antenna (152).

In another exemplary embodiment, the printer (20) is a RFID printer. TheRFID reader (150) is to program metal RFID tags contained in or on themedia label.

In another exemplary embodiment, the printer (20) is a thermal transferprinter, and the RFID antenna (152) is placed below the ribbon path(160) corresponding to a ribbon of the thermal transfer printer. Theribbon path (160) is altered to guide the ribbon upward by positioning afixed shaft or roller (162) before the RFID antenna to furtheraccommodate the RFID antenna (152) adjacent to the print head (190).

The present invention further embraces a system for programmingprogrammable tags on media labels on a printer.

Referring to FIG. 4, in an exemplary embodiment, the system (300)includes a control unit (310), and a printing assembly (200) coupled tothe control unit (310). The printing assembly (200) includes a platenroller (230) for feeding a media label for printing along a media path(270). The printing assembly (200) further includes a print head (210)positioned in a vertical orientation relative to a portion of the platenroller (230) over which the media label passes during printing. Theprint head (210) burn line (220) is designated. Further included is aprogramming module (250) for programming coded information on a medialabel. The programming module (250) is coupled to the control unit(310). The programming module (250) includes an antenna (252) coupled tothe programming module (250). The antenna (252) is positioned above themedia label path (270). The vertical orientation of the print head (210)allows the antenna (252) to be accommodated in close proximity to theprint head burn line (220), that is, the antenna is closer to the burnline than would be possible in a conventional printing assembly with theconventional horizontal orientation of the conventional print head. Theprinting assembly (200) further includes a LSS module (240) to controlmovement of a media label along the media path (270). The LSS module(240) is positioned adjacent to the antenna (252). The LSS module (240)is configured to position at least a portion of a media label under theantenna (252) and the print head (210).

In another exemplary embodiment, the programming module (250) is an RFprogramming module for programming RFID tags in or on the media label.The RFID tags may for example be near field communication (NFC) tags.

In another exemplary embodiment, the antenna (252) is accommodated abovethe media path (270) at a distance not less than 15 mm from the printhead burn line (220). Alternatively, the antenna (252) is accommodatedabove the media path (270) at a distance no greater than 20 mm from theprint head burn line (220).

In any of these embodiments, the LSS module (240) may be positioned at adistance not less than 20 mm from the print head burn line.

In conventional printing assemblies, like the one shown in FIG. 1, theantenna (14) may be positioned 18 mm to 34 mm from the burn line (13)and below the media path (17). This position of the RFID antenna (14)does not allow the RFID antenna (14) to support metal RFID tags on or inthe media label. In the prior art printing assembly (10) of FIG. 1, theLSS module (18) is positioned 42 mm to 55 mm or more from the burn line(15). Thus, print registration on a prior printing assembly (10) islimited and the pitch between RFID labels may be limited to be greaterthan 24 mm.

In contrast, the printing assembly (200) of FIG. 4, allows the antenna(252) and the antenna's centerline (254) to be in close proximity to theburn line (220) above the media path (270). The LSS module (240) can beaccommodated adjacent to the antenna (252) much closer to the burn line(220), thus allowing more accurate print registration and lower pitchbetween labels.

For example, in another exemplary embodiment, the media label has apitch of at least 12 mm (not shown), because of the positioning of theLSS module (240).

In another aspect, the present invention embraces a method for printinga programmable tag on a media label.

Referring to FIG. 5, in an exemplary embodiment, the method (800)includes the steps of: (810) positioning, a print head with a burn linein a vertical orientation relative to a portion of a platen roller overwhich a media label passes during printing; (820) arranging a radiofrequency (RFID) antenna coupled to a RFID reader above a media pathcorresponding to a media label, wherein the vertical orientation of theprint head allows the RFID antenna to be accommodated in close proximityto the print head burn line; (830) accommodating a LSS module adjacentto the RFID antenna; and (840) advancing or retracting, based uponsignals from the LSS module, at least a portion of the media label belowthe print head and the RFID antenna, for printing.

In another exemplary embodiment, the method (800) may further includethe step (850) of programming by the RFID reader a RFID tag contained inor on the media label via the RFID antenna.

The method (800) may be carried out with the printing assembliesdiscussed in connection with FIGS. 3 and 4. In another exemplaryembodiment of the method (800), the media label is a small RFID medialabel having a pitch between labels of at least 12 mm. The RFID antennamay be accommodated at a distance not less than 15 mm from the printhead burn line, and preferably from 15 mm to 20 mm form the print headburn line. Most preferably, the RFID antenna is accommodated below theribbon path of a thermal printer. The LSS module is preferablyaccommodated at a distance greater than at least 20 mm from the printhead.

To supplement the present disclosure, this application incorporatesentirely by reference the following commonly assigned patents, patentapplication publications, and patent applications:

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In the specification and/or figures, typical embodiments of theinvention have been disclosed. The present invention is not limited tosuch exemplary embodiments. The use of the term “and/or” includes anyand all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Thefigures are schematic representations and so are not necessarily drawnto scale. Unless otherwise noted, specific terms have been used in ageneric and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation.

1. A printer comprising: a control unit; a print head with a burn line,coupled to the control unit, for printing on a media label, the printhead positioned in a vertical orientation relative to a portion of aplaten roller over which a media label passes during printing; a RFIDreader, coupled to the control unit, for programming RFID tags on themedia label; a RFID antenna coupled to the RFID reader, the RFID antennabeing positioned above the media label path, the print head's verticalorientation allowing the RFID antenna to be accommodated in closeproximity to the print head burn line, the close proximity being of adistance to allow the RFID antenna to support metal tags on the medialabel; a LSS module, coupled to the control unit, for monitoringmovement of the media label along a media path, the LSS module beingadjacent to the RFID antenna.
 2. The printer as claimed in claim 1,wherein the media label pitch is a length at least 12 mm.
 3. The printeras claimed in claim 1, wherein the RFID antenna has a centerline, thecenterline being positioned within a distance not greater than 20 mmfrom the print head burn line.
 4. The printer as claimed in claim 1,wherein the RFID antenna has a centerline, the centerline beingpositioned at a distance not less than 15 mm from the print head burnline.
 5. The printer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the printer is aRFID printer, and the RFID reader is to program metal RFID tagscontained in or on the media label.
 6. The printer as claimed in claim1, wherein the printer is a thermal transfer printer and the RFIDantenna is placed below a ribbon path corresponding to a ribbon of thethermal transfer printer.
 7. The printer as claimed in claim 1, whereinthe LSS module is configured to position at least a portion of the medialabel under the RFID antenna and the print head.
 8. The printer asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the LSS module is positioned at a distancenot less than 20 mm from the print head burn line.
 9. A methodcomprising: positioning, a print head with a burn line in a verticalorientation relative to a portion of a platen roller over which a medialabel passes during printing; arranging a radio frequency (RFID) antennacoupled to a RFID reader above a media path corresponding to a medialabel, wherein the vertical orientation of the print head allows theRFID antenna to be accommodated in close proximity to the print headburn line; accommodating a label stop sensor (LSS) module adjacent tothe RFID antenna; and advancing, based upon signals from the LSS module,at least a portion of the media label below the print head and the RFIDantenna, for printing.
 10. The method as claimed in claim 9, furthercomprising, programming by the RFID reader a RFID tag contained in or onthe media label via the RFID antenna.
 11. The method as claimed in claim9, wherein the media label is a small RFID media label having a pitchbetween labels of at least 12 mm.
 12. The method as claimed in claim 9,wherein the RFID antenna is accommodated at a distance not less than 15mm from the print head burn line.
 13. The method as claimed in claim 9,wherein the RFID antenna is accommodated below the ribbon path of athermal printer.
 14. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the LSSmodule is accommodated at a distance greater than at least 20 mm fromthe print head.
 15. A system comprising: a control unit; a printingassembly coupled to the control unit, the printing assembly comprising:a platen roller for feeding a media label for printing along a mediapath; a print head with a burn line positioned in a vertical orientationrelative to a portion of the platen roller over which the media labelpasses during printing; a programming module for programming codedinformation on the media label, the programming module being coupled tothe control unit, and wherein the programming module includes an antennacoupled to the programming module, the antenna being positioned abovethe media label path, the vertical orientation of the print headallowing the antenna to be accommodated in close proximity to the printhead burn line; and a LSS module to control movement of the media labelalong the media path, the LSS module being positioned adjacent to theantenna, wherein the LSS module is configured to position at least aportion of the media label under the antenna and the print head.
 16. Thesystem as claimed in claim 15, wherein the programming module is an RFprogramming module for programming RFID tags in or on the media label.17. The system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the antenna isaccommodated above the media path at a distance not less than 15 mm fromthe print head burn line.
 18. The system as claimed in claim 15, whereinthe antenna is accommodated above the media path at a distance nogreater than 20 mm from the print head burn line.
 19. The system asclaimed in claim 18, wherein the media label has a pitch of at least 12mm.
 20. The system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the LSS module ispositioned at a distance not less than 20 mm from the print head burnline.